Education

UF researchers find boiling behaves unexpectedly in reduced gravity

A University of Florida team led by mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Youngsup Song has discovered that boiling liquid nitrogen in reduced-gravity conditions can transfer heat more efficiently than previously assumed, while also reaching an unsafe threshold about 65% sooner. The findings, published in npj Microgravity, challenge long-held assumptions that lower gravity uniformly weakens boiling. The research could inform the design of cryogenic fuel storage and thermal management systems for future long-duration space missions.

Sources: UF News